I received a couple items today including an Athearn Powered SD45F-via Ebay & tried it out and motor does engage but only a 1/4 revolution, tried moving flywheels and they do not move freely…especially the back…it seems to me I received a bum motor…any suggestions what I can do…still in process of learning …probably forever…
Thanks…Cary
It does not sound like a motor problem. More likely something frozen in the drivetrain (trucks).
Start by popping the worm clips off one truck at a time, and removing the worm. This way you can isolate the problem to one or the other truck or the motor.
Regarding learning - the day you stop learning is the day you die.
OLD Athearn SD-45’ were BB kits.-and - depending on motor - pulled 1 amp to .5 amps + 1.75 to start up. By contrast, an eqivalent Kato SD-45 runs @ .5a - .25 a.and have real headlight.
Motor may be locked up, not defective.
BEST bet: REMOTOR. 2nd best, return to seller.
Thanks for the input, think I found part of problem, motor works fine, but worm housing will not move at all, trying to use Goo Gone and maybe extra grease to loosen it up…or maybe just replace the worm/shaft altogether???
Nope, Has to be the trucks but they do seem to move fairly freely…
finally, first conclusion was right, it is the worms little lugnuts will not move at all thus worm will not turn…now to find one???
I think what you’re calling the worm gear’s lug nuts are actually bearing blocks that should move freely. Try some WD-40 and see if you can free them up. Then flush the WD-40 out and use some light machine oil on them.
If those bearings are bound up that locomotive has been subjected to some terrible neglect and abuse.